Conference Slugfest Leaves Cypress on Top by One Run
Vass batted in the winning run Saturday. |
March 11, 2006
Final Stats
Cypress, Calif. - Cypress faced off on a weekend conference match up with Riverside Saturday as Cypress tried to hold on to their share of first in conference. Nine innings, 27 runs, 30 hits, and 11 pitchers later, Cypress emerged the winner 14-13. Sophomore outfielder Mike Vass lead the Chargers at the plate going 3 for 3 including a solo homerun, his third of the season.
It looked like a pitcher’s game to start as both the Tigers and the Chargers retired the first 6 batters in a row. The hitting heated up in the third as Riverside started it off with two runs. Cypress answered back in force with 8 runs in the bottom of the second. With a man on second and third, sophomore outfielder Garrett Young batted in designated hitter Matt Miller. Four batters later with the bases loaded, sophomore catcher Matt Wallach belted a 3 RBI double to score Brandon Laird, Taylor Green, and Garrett Green. The bleeding for Riverside continued as sophomore Blaine Wilson singled to score Wallach. In Miller’s second at bat of the inning, he doubled to score Wilson. The inning ended with a single by sophomore third baseman Joel Weeks which scored Miller.
Ahead 8-2 heading into the top of the fourth, it looked like the Chargers were in control before Riverside answered back with a four run inning. Cypress matched the Tiger’s effort with 4 runs of their own in the fourth. Vass led off the inning with his solo homerun. With a man on first and third, Taylor Green singled to score Young. Wallach batted in Garrett Green next. Wilson hit his first sacrifice fly of the year to score Taylor Green to hold on to their 6 run lead. Cypress stretched the lead by one run in the fifth as Vass scored on a wild pitch.
Riverside mounted a quick comeback run scoring 4 runs in the sixth followed by 3 runs in the seventh to tie the game at 13 to head into the bottom of the seventh. Vass headed to the plate with a man in scoring position and singled to score pinch runner Justin Ariki to notch the deciding run of the game. Sophomore left-hander Nick Rhodes held the Tigers scoreless in the next two innings to hold on to the win. Rhodes earned the win to go 5-0 on the season pitching 3.2 innings and striking out 4. Sophomore Jason Shimizu came in to face the last batter of the day leaving 2 men stranded and earned his first save of the season.
Cypress stays at home for their next Conference showdown as they host Saddleback next. Saddleback is 10-7 on the season and 2-3 in conference, 2 games behind Cypress. The teams will meet Tuesday at 2:00 pm at Cypress.
